They could have two Pro Bowl players and a promising rookie among the group

Meet the new left side of the Dolphins’ offensive line. Last week they were just guys. Now, they’re men of distinction.

Center Mike Pouncey is a Pro Bowl alternate.

Guard Richie Incognito is a Pro Bowl alternate.

Tackle Jonathan Martin is a rookie with a promising future.

After the events of the past week – Martin played well on the left side for the third consecutive week, and Pouncey and Incognito had their names mentioned in the same breath as “Pro Bowl” – you’ll have to view these guys a bit differently when they line up Sunday at New England.

(Yeah, I’m including the center on the left side. Call it artistic license.)

On Sunday, you’ll have to view the left side of the Dolphins’ offensive line as being pretty good.

The Dolphins have made quite a discovery.

You have to tip your hat to general manager Jeff Ireland, coach Joe Philbin, the scouts, the coaching staff and everyone else on this one. They signed Incognito, and drafted Pouncey and Martin. And they coached them.

In other words, they identified talent and developed it. That’s what you want from your front office and coaching staff.

This revamped left side of the offensive line assumes left tackle Jake Long, who will be a free agent at season’s end, won’t return. Martin flipped from right tackle to left tackle after Long landed on injured reserve with a season-ending triceps injury. It’s been a nice, albeit unplanned, find.

Keep an eye on the left side of the offensive line against the Patriots. See how they do in pass blocking and run blocking. See if they can reasonably contain Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, possibly the best in the business, and rookie defensive end Chandler Jones, who has six sacks and three forced fumbles.

And then consider this: If things fall the right way both Pouncey and Incognito could get the call to play in the Pro Bowl. Maybe someone drops out because they’re injured. Maybe someone drops out because they’re in the Super Bowl. That would make Pouncey and Incognito Pro Bowl players. Now think about if Long was to return. The left side of the Dolphins’ offensive line would immediately be considered among the best in the NFL.

But let’s disregard Long for now. And set aside the notion a strong left side of the offensive line won’t get you to the Super Bowl. We all know that.

Just watch the left side of the offensive line against the Patriots. Make your own decision. See if you consider them men of distinction.